Question:
So I recieved word last night that a friend of the family has an old Marshall 30 Watt he is willing to part with.
I got this info secondhand, so I don't know exactly what this amp is or looks like. Anyone able to put words to a name/face?
Here's the facts:
-It's old (about 20 years)
-It's a Marshall
-30 Watts
-It has a "Limited Edition" tag on it. More info on this below.
The "Limited Edition" story is, when the guy bought the amp it was originally released as a Limited Edition amp, only a certain number was made and distributed. He says, though, that it became so popular that Marshall decided to continue releasing it.
He bought one of the first ones, thus the "Limited Edition" tag.
I will try to look up more info on the Amp, I just don't have time... class is about to start.
Oh yeah, he's asking $80 for it. Not bad, in my opinion, even if it is used.
Answer:
That is sweet. I'll tell you what...Ill buy it from you for $90. Deal?...hehe
Is it just a head, or is it a combo?
Answer:
Dunno - I'm going to try and get with the guy this weekend and check the amp out.
Since it's nearly/over 20 years old, is there anything I need to look for that may have worn out over the years? Are there any parts I would be better off replacing?
Answer:
over time, amps don't really have any parts that fall apart under normal use. If it's a tube amp (which I sorta suspect it is), then the tubes might need replacing if the original owner has never done it.
anyway, could you just tell us what Marshall amp it is? It'd be alot easier to tell you if it's worth $80 Though I'd suspect that most Marshalls from the 80s are worth $80.
Answer:
I'd tell ya if I could. The guy apparently wasn't specific enough to my dad (who I got this info from). I'm going to try to get with him soon and check out the amp before I make a final decision.
How much would replacing the Tubes cost?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Paradigm_Shift How much would replacing the Tubes cost? if it needed it, probably between $50 and $70 for most common tube configs.
Answer:
not enough to worry about.
Answer:
How do I tell if it needs a tube replacement?
Can you tell this is my first amp?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Paradigm_Shift How do I tell if it needs a tube replacement?
Can you tell this is my first amp? well, sometimes it's nice to just replace the tubes right away so you know exactly how old they are.
amps that need power tube replacement tend to lose volume, have a less defined sound than before or start to breakup sooner than before
pre-amp tubes can become microphonic and feedback or just add a staticky noise to the sound.
Answer:
Makes sense. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
I might just go ahead and buy a new amp, just to avoid any complications.
Answer:
but what if the original tubes in there have some sort of mojo that we just don't know about and removing them would turn the amp into a mediocre one? It's a stretch, but hey, it's guitar stuff. the most subjective stuff. ever.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Paradigm_Shift Makes sense. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
I might just go ahead and buy a new amp, just to avoid any complications. I think that would be a really bad decision.
Id get some details. Even if this thing needs a touch of work, its probably way better than most amps you'd touch for several times this things price.
Answer:
Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq I think that would be a really bad decision.
Id get some details. Even if this thing needs a touch of work, its probably way better than most amps you'd touch for several times this things price. Indeed. My current project amp (the project is moving very slowly by the way) is old, ugly, and cost me $80. The speaker in it is a Celestion Greenback (G12M I think). It's a 25W speaker in a 20W Class A amplifier. The speaker alone costs $100 new.
It has great tone, but some grounding or old tube issues that I need to try to resolve. Even if I have to buy an entire new tube set (which for this amp will run around $100 I think), if the new tube set fixes the issues I'm having, I'll have a great, and very unique tube amp for $180.
Answer:
but he doesnt even know what it is yet...it may be some small SS practice amp.
Answer:
Originally Posted by RipVanWinkle but he doesnt even know what it is yet...it may be some small SS practice amp. this is very true...we're all just speculating of all the awesome that could happen.